Device for locking perforated stationery together on a support

ABSTRACT

A device for holding a plurality of stacked, perforated leaves of stationery having a base member and a complimentary member with aligning elements thereon in side-by-side relation, which aligning elements are received into the perforations of the leaves of stationery for holding same.

United States Patent Appl. No. Filed Patented Assignee DEVICE FOR LOCKING PERFORATED STATIONERY TOGETHER ON A SUPPORT 5 Claims, 4 Drawing Figs. US. Cl 402/33, 402/68, 402/71 Int. Cl B42! 3/04 Field of Search 402/32, 33, 34, 35, 31, 42, 43, 44, 76

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS v 3,132,649 5/1964 Gits 281/375 UX 3,255,759 6/1966 Dennis 402/34 X 540,695 6/1895 Shepherd 402/32 X 1,048,956 12/1912 Gostick 402/76 X 1,958,932 5/1934 Welk 402/44 X FOREIGN PATENTS 519,994 6/1953 Belgium 402/31 577,280 6/1924 France 402/32 736,580 9/1932 France 402/44 18,974 1910 Great Britain 402/3 1 Primary Examiner-Jerome Schnall Attorney-Woodhams, Blanchard and Flynn &

ABSTRACT: A device for holding a plurality of stacked, perforated leaves of stationery having a base member and a complimentary member with aligning elements thereon in side-byside relation, which aligning elements are received into the perforations of the leaves of stationery for holding same.

DEVICE FOR LOCKING PERFORATED STATIONERY TOGETHER ON A SUPPORT CROSS- REFERENCE TO A RELATED APPLICATION This application is a division of my copending application, Ser. No. 555,540, filed June 6, 1966, now abandoned. The invention relates to a device for locking perforated stationery on the aligning rods of a base member by means of an apronlike complementary plate protruding over the edge of the aligned pile of stationery and pivotably mounted on the front ends between two webs of the base.

A device of the abovementioned type has a base or support with at least the dimensions of the largest sheet of printed or writing paper which is to be aligned. Along one of the longitudinal edges thereof a complementary member or apronlike plate is arranged having a plurality of aligning rods which can preferably be covered by the apronlike plate. n the opposite longitudinal edge is provided, if necessary, a second row of aligning rods on which it is similarly possible to align stationery. The arrangement is such that the stationery on the second row of aligning rods is similarly gripped with its free longitudinal edge by the apronlike plate.

The aligning rods of this known device are respectively in the form of a cone with a roundedoff point and small in height so that only a few sheets can be aligned. As a result of their conically formed aligning rods the latter do not afford good guiding and are easily displaced when opening the apronlike plate. Apart from this it is neither possible to remove nor to add intermediate leaves without each time having to refile the entire pile of stationery. The apronlike plate lies only loosely on the aligned stationery so that the known device can only be used when laid flat and is not suitable for installation in portfolios or suspension files, that is as a dividing cover for filing in a letter file.

Devices for locking equal stationery together are also known, in which the stationery is pressed onto the support by a leaf spring extending transversely over the edge of the pile of stationery and arched arcuately upward.

The aligning rods are also coneshaped in these known devices, and are designed in the form of spits. They are small in height and can therefore only take a few sheets. For filing or removing a sheet the leaf spring must be forcefully raised and held firmly, and the pile of stationery must be refiled on such occasion. More especially there exists the danger that when displacing the leaf spring particularly thin sheets of paper may be squeezed together and torn, that is if no folio cover or protective sheet is provided between the free end of the leaf spring and the sheet of paper lying on top. Such a device is therefore cumbersome to handle and unreliable since, when it is in the pushedback position, the leaf spring always endeavors to return to the released position.

Therefore the invention is presented with the problem of so developing the device of the type named at the beginning that it guarantees in all positions a reliable locking of the aligned pile of stationery and an easy insertion or removal of leaves of paper. This is attained in that the aligning rods are divided in a longitudinal direction and the one parts are affixed on the complementary member or apronlike plate which is secured in a manner determined by its form at least in the closed position by a snap fastener or, in a manner determined by a force, by a spring, a rubberband or the like.

Such a device holds an aligned pile of stationery reliable together and can even be carried in brief cases or installed in portfolios. It also enables a speedy insertion of loose leaves of paper since the apronlike plate is secured in its end position. The pile of stationery is merely turned back by hand together with the apronlike plate above the point where it is desired to be opened and held by the one part of the aligning rods of the apronlike plate. The pile of stationery need not be refiled after each aligning operation. Finally the device can also be used as a dividing cover and for hanging the aligned stationery in any desired suspension registry without there being the possibility that the stationery might slip or fall out of the device when handled robustly. If the device is manufactured in plastic it is possible, merely by the allotment of corresponding colors, to create a visual means of recognition. Moreover the device is economical to manufacture since it only consists of two parts which can be manufactured by spray molding or spray pressing ready for use.

An exemplary embodiment of the object of the invention is illustrated in the drawing; in which FIG. 1 is a schematically illustrated rear view of the device;

FIG. 2 is a section along the line 22 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a vertical cross section through the device in ac cordance with FIG. 1 in the half open position; and

FIG. 4 is a vertical cross section through the device in accordance with FIG. 1 in a completely open position.

In accordance with FIG. 1 a device 1 in accordance with the" invention can have a support, the dimensions of which are suited to the respective use intended, e.g., as a cover strip for letter files, as a dividing cover, suspension cover, swing cover or the like and can be colored in design for differentiating or characterizing purposes. The support preferably consists of a base member of strip 2 manufactured in plastic with two aligning rods 3 arranged on a longitudinal edge.

In accordance with the invention the aligning rods 3" are longitudinally divided such that the two parts 4' and 5 join to form one aligning rod 3 of circularly round cross section and normal thickness. The parts 4' of the aligning rods are rigidly connected to the strip 2 serving as the support for the stationery 6 which is to be aligned, and for the most part manufactured in one part together with the lattermentioned strip 2 as a unified workpiece by injection molding or injection pressing. The other parts 5 of the aligning rods are arranged on a corresponding longitudinal edge of the complementary manner or apronlike plate 7" which similarly forms a one part workpiece and has a predetermined breadth in excess of the width of the stationery which is to be aligned, and which is pivotably mounted on the base or support, that is the strip 2.

The embodiment of the device in accordance with FIGS. 1 to 4 has an apronlike plastic plate 7 with an L- shaped cross section with an even shank 28 and another shank 29 pointing downward in the direction toward the strip 2, which shank 29 is curved in the approximate shape of a semicircle to the pivot pins 10. These also form the center point for arcuately shaped curved aligning rods 3' and have respectively two parts 4', 5' which join to form a preferably arcuately shaped cross section. The arrangement can, for example, be so effected that the parts 5 on the plate 7" are formed with crosssectional radii pointing in its one longitudinal direction, and the parts 4' on the strip 2 are formed with crosssectional radii pointing in the opposite longitudinal direction. In the closed position in accordance with FIGS. 1 and 2, the free ends of the parts 4,5 respectively project into recesses or apertures 30 provided in the plate 7" and in the strip 2, however, without protruding out of these apertures 30.

Both the sides of the webs 11 and the upper range of the curved shank 29 pointing downwardly of the plate 7 run approximately at a distance of the edge breadth 31 of the stationary 6 parallel to the aligning rods 3' so that the stationery 6 is substantially supported over the entire thickness on the inner surface of the shank 29. The arcuateshaped surface of the webs l l is in contact with the inner side of the shank 29, as far as a short piece in the base range of the webs on the striking points, so that there are no difficulties when lifting off the plate 7" from the stationery, or when turning over the pages of the latter.

In order to lock the device in the closed position against unintentional opening, the free longitudinal edge 32 of the shank 29 is curved down radially to the pivot pins 10 so that it runs parallel to the even shank 28 of the plate 7". On the outer side of the free longitudinal edge 32 is provided a low longitudinal rib 33 which in the closed position clicks into a correspondingly designed longitudinal groove 34 on the upper side of the strip 2. This longitudinal groove 34 can also be provided in a reinforcement 35 of the strip 2 in case this latter is not very thick.

In each device, and also in accordance with FIG. 3, there is provided an expansion position in which the free ends of the parts 4, 5' of the aligning rods 3' still partly overlap each other. The stationery 6 can thus be loosened and turned over either sheet by sheet or several at a time. In the expansion position projections 36 arranged on the front sides of the arcuateshaped shank 29 at a distance from the pivot pins 10 click respectively into apertures or hollows 37 of the webs 11. Further hollows or openings 37a can also be provided on the latter, into which the projections 36 click on reaching the open position in accordance with FIG. 13. The strip 2 can also be formed broader relative to the plate 7" and serve as a base, e.g., for placing on a work surface, especially a writing desk. However, it can also be provided for affixing the device on the inner side of a file cover, file backing or the like, and be equipped with pins 38 which can click into corresponding bores of the file cover. Instead of the pins 38, the strip 2 can, however, also have bores and be connectable with the file cover by rivets, screws or the like.

The embodiments of the invention in which an exclusive property or privilege is claimed are defined as follows:

1. A holding device for holding a plurality of stacked perforated leaves of stationery the improvement comprising:

an elongated base member having a generally flat base portion and a pair of spacedapart longitudinally aligned in tegral web portions projecting away from one side of said base portion adjacent the opposite ends and substantially spaced from one edge thereof, said web portions having a pair of axially aligned openings therein, said base member having integral first arcuate prongs thereon positioned closely adjacent said one edge of said base portion, said first prongs projecting away from said one side of said base portion and positioned between said opposite ends of said base portion and out of alignment with the longitudinally aligned web portions, said first prongs being substantially concentric with said openings;

an elongated complementary member having a generally fiat platelike portion and wall means integral with said platelike portion and extending toward said base member, at least a pair of integral and aligned projections extending in parallelism away from said wall means, pin means on said projections and extending outwardly therefrom defining a hinge axis, said projections being positioned between said web portions with said pin means being received in said openings in said web portions thereby rendering said complementary member hingably secured to said base member and movable between an opened position wherein said platelike portion is inclined relative to said base portion and a closed position wherein said platelike portion is parallel to said base portion, said complementary member having integral second arcuate prongs secured to and positioned closely adjacent an edge of said flat platelike portion remote from said wall means,

said second prongs projecting away from one side of said platelike portion and positioned in sidebyside alignment with said first prongs, said second prongs being concentric about said hinge axis such that said sidebyside alignment of said first and second prongs on said base member and said complementary member define a plurality of pairs of arcuate prongs when said complementary member is in said closed position, each pair of arcuate prongs being received in one of the perforations in said leaves of stationery to thereby hold same within said holding device when said complementary member is in said closed position, and said wall means being elongated in a direction substantially parallel to said hinge axis, a surface of said wall means facing said prongs and being concentric with said first and second prongs to define a support surface for said stationery;

first recess means in said base portion closely adjacent said first arcuate prongs and aligned with said second arcuate prongs so that the free ends of said second prongs are receivable therein when the complementary member is in the closed position; second recess means in said fiat platelike portion closely adjacent said second arcuate prongs and aligned with said first arcuate prongs so that the free ends of said first prongs are receivable therein when the complementary member is in the closed position, whereby the free ends of said second and first prongs are laterally fixed relative to the respective elongated base member and complementary member; and

interrelated resilient locking means integral with said base member and said complementary member for releasably locking said complementary member in the closed position.

2. The holding device defined in claim 1, wherein said locking means comprises pin elements on said wall means extending toward said web portions, said web portions having recesses formed therein opening toward said wall means and in alignment with the pin elements and adapted to releasably receive the pin elements whereby said complementary member can be locked in positions intermediate the fully opened and fully closed positions with respect to the base member.

3. The holding device defined in claim 1, wherein the platelike portion and the wall means secured thereto define an element having a generally L- shaped cross section, said platelike member being spaced above said wall means and extending in a direction away from the web portions on said base member.

4. The holding device defined in claim 1 wherein the edges of said web portions on said base member facing said prongs are concentric with said prongs.

S. A holder according to claim 1, wherein said projections extend in substantially parallel relationship relative to said platelike portion, and said projections and said platelike portion being interconnected by said wall means and having a substantially Z- shaped configuration; and

said locking means including a rib projecting from said wall means adjacent the free end thereof and disposed for engagement with a coacting recess formed in said base portion when said complementary member is in said closed position. 

1. A holding device for holding a plurality of stacked perforated leaves of stationery, the improvement comprising: an elongated base member having a generally flat base portion and a pair of spaced-apart longitudinally aligned integral web portions projecting away from one side of said base portion adjacent the opposite ends and substantially spaced from one edge thereof, said web portions having a pair of axially aligned openings therein, said base member having integral first arcuate prongs thereon positioned closely adjacent said one edge of said base portion, said first prongs projecting away from said one side of said base portion and positioned between said opposite ends of said base portion and out of alignment with the longitudinally aligned web portions, said first prongs being substantially concentric with said openings; an elongated complementary member having a generally flat platelike portion and wall means integral with said platelike portion and extending toward said base member, at least a paIr of integral and aligned projections extending in parallelism away from said wall means, pin means on said projections and extending outwardly therefrom defining a hinge axis, said projections being positioned between said web portions with said pin means being received in said openings in said web portions thereby rendering said complementary member hingably secured to said base member and movable between an opened position wherein said platelike portion is inclined relative to said base portion and a closed position wherein said platelike portion is parallel to said base portion, said complementary member having integral second arcuate prongs secured to and positioned closely adjacent an edge of said flat platelike portion remote from said wall means, said second prongs projecting away from one side of said platelike portion and positioned in side-by-side alignment with said first prongs, said second prongs being concentric about said hinge axis such that said side-by-side alignment of said first and second prongs on said base member and said complementary member define a plurality of pairs of arcuate prongs when said complementary member is in said closed position, each pair of arcuate prongs being received in one of the perforations in said leaves of stationery to thereby hold same within said holding device when said complementary member is in said closed position, and said wall means being elongated in a direction substantially parallel to said hinge axis, a surface of said wall means facing said prongs and being concentric with said first and second prongs to define a support surface for said stationery; first recess means in said base portion closely adjacent said first arcuate prongs and aligned with said second arcuate prongs so that the free ends of said second prongs are receivable therein when the complementary member is in the closed position; second recess means in said flat platelike portion closely adjacent said second arcuate prongs and aligned with said first arcuate prongs so that the free ends of said first prongs are receivable therein when the complementary member is in the closed position, whereby the free ends of said second and first prongs are laterally fixed relative to the respective elongated base member and complementary member; and interrelated resilient locking means integral with said base member and said complementary member for releasably locking said complementary member in the closed position.
 2. The holding device defined in claim 1, wherein said locking means comprises pin elements on said wall means extending toward said web portions, said web portions having recesses formed therein opening toward said wall means and in alignment with the pin elements and adapted to releasably receive the pin elements whereby said complementary member can be locked in positions intermediate the fully opened and fully closed positions with respect to the base member.
 3. The holding device defined in claim 1, wherein the platelike portion and the wall means secured thereto define an element having a generally L-shaped cross section, said platelike member being spaced above said wall means and extending in a direction away from the web portions on said base member.
 4. The holding device defined in claim 1 wherein the edges of said web portions on said base member facing said prongs are concentric with said prongs.
 5. A holder according to claim 1, wherein said projections extend in substantially parallel relationship relative to said platelike portion, and said projections and said platelike portion being interconnected by said wall means and having a substantially Z-shaped configuration; and said locking means including a rib projecting from said wall means adjacent the free end thereof and disposed for engagement with a coacting recess formed in said base portion when said complementary member is in said closed position. 